Sermon Tone Analysis

Greatness is often Blunted by Conditions Beyond our Control (2 Kings 5:1)

here is a man who overcame his condition and ascended to greatness… BUT, that personal and national victory was directed and orchestrated… Namaan was not a self-made man, The Bible declares: “because by him the LORD had given victory to Syria...”

Gayle King, Harold Ebersole…

God May allow Difficult Circumstances for Believers to Further His Purpose (2 Kings 5:2-6)

Our Suffering may Lead to another’s Salvation!

In this world we are often told that “being used” is the worst possible outcome… and when the forces of evil are the ones in control that is true…

However, when we allow ourselves to be used, that is controlled by the Holy Spirit, our place and even circumstances are secondary.

Seeing our situation through God’s Perspective makes a huge difference.

This slave girl is not busy trying to escape, but instead is serving her Spiritual Master by serving her earthly master… (v. about serving masters)

Matt Redman is a leading writer of songs for worship.

In the wake of September 11, 2001 he penned Blessed Be Your Name as a worship response to the tragedy we had all experienced.

He and his wife, Beth, were on sabbatical in the United States from their homeland of Britain when the terrorist attacks occurred.

They co-wrote this piece as both an anthem of praise and a response to the reality of human suffering.

This is one of his most popular songs and it states, "When the darkness closes in, Lord still I will say, Blessed be Your Name."

He said, "It struck me how little vocabulary we have in church worship music to respond appropriately in dark times of life.

We all face seasons of pain and unease.

And in those times we need to find our voice before God.

The Church, and indeed the world, needs songs of lamentation."

Regardless of our circumstances, Redman has wisely noted, "worshipping God is a choice, and the best choice we'll ever make."

Today's Christian, May/June 2007, p.17

For this little girl, who was a simple slave, the darkness and despair of being taken captive by the hand of the enemies of God must have been difficult beyond comprehension.

BUT, for her, the witness to God’s greatness allowed a new outlook - that there was hope that her earthly master would join the greater Kingdom of God, and wittingly or unwittingly they would both be have equal standing as CHILDREN OF GOD...

The Scripture States:

Belief Often Requires Unusual Demonstrations: Faith/Trust always WORKS ITS WAY OUT (2 Kings 5:9-14)

True Conversion Carries Over into Every Day Life (2 Kings 5:17-19)